title: Oral zinc supplementation in anorexia nervosa.
abstract: There is evidence to suggest that zinc (Zn) deficiency may be involved in the pathogenesis of anorexia nervosa (AN). In an open study of 20 females, aged 14-26 years, afflicted with AN the effect of oral zinc supplementation was investigated. In each case the diagnosis of AN was based on the criteria of DSM-III-R. After a careful history, complete physical examination and laboratory screening the subjects were started on 45-90 mg of Zn2+, as zinc sulfate, (SolvezinkR, Tika, Sweden) per day. During a follow-up period of 8-56 months 17 patients increased their body weight by more than 15%. The maximum gradual weight gain of 57% was encountered in one patient after 24 months of zinc therapy. The most rapid weight gain was recorded in a patient who increased her body weight by 24% over a period of 3 months. After the institution of zinc, weight loss was not registered in any of our patients. In 13 subjects the menstruation returned 1-17 months after the initiation of zinc therapy. None of our patients developed bulimia. The design of an ongoing multicenter placebo-controlled clinical trial of zinc supplementation to patients with AN is described.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Clinic, Biskopsgården, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Safai-Kutti
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013431:Sulfates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000172:deficiency*; D019287:Zinc Sulfate
chemical_list: D013431:Sulfates; D019287:Zinc Sulfate; D015032:Zinc